Community Education eNews September 2024

important dates mahtomedi public schools

Click Here for the Community Education Calendar

Upcoming Community Events

Now: Fall 2024 Online Registration and Catalog
September 26: MAEF Zephyr Get Together
September 30-October 4: Mahtomedi Homecoming
October 2: Passages Homecoming Sale from 3-7 pm at the Mahtomedi District Center
October 4: Mahtomedi Homecoming Parade
October 12: Punkinmania 9:00 AM
October 14: Community Lunch 12:00 pm
October 24: Comedy Sports Improv Showstoppers 7-8:45 pm at CFAC
October 27: Mahtomedi Faculty Concert 3 pm at CFAC
October 28:MahtoREADi 6:30-8:30 pm at Mahtomedi High School

Course Registration

Course Registration is always available at https://mahtomedi.ce.eleyo.com/

This Issue's Top Highlights

KNOW

Over 100 people attended Food Truck Friday’s first-ever fall event. Check out the photos here.

DO

Join us for our next community event, ComedySportz’s improv at Mahtomedi High School on October 24.

Share this fun video of O.H. Anderson Elementary School using the new sidewalks and Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons.

Community Education News

Food Truck Friday Brings Community Together

Last Friday, Food Truck Friday (FTF) rolled up to DEC. This is the first FTF held in the fall. Sandy’s Grill & Italian Ice, Chow Empanadas, and Floyd’s Donuts & Shaved Ice served food, while Run Lucy Run performed on the outdoor stage.

FTF started in Mahtomedi after the pandemic as a way to socialize and bring people together. Director of Community Education Kate Andersen said, “It was an opportunity to gather, enjoy the weather, and be in community.”

Over the years, the event has attracted up to 500 people - and remains popular. FTF will return in the spring. See the photos from the FTF here.

Youngest Zephyrs Start School

Our community’s youngest learners started school recently through Mahtomedi Community Education’s preschool program, Mahtomedi Area Preschool (MAP). Buses arrived at Wildwood Elementary School filled with children in fluorescent vests, while others arrived holding hands with their parents.

Early Learning Supervisor Angie Lundblad said, "Our Early Childhood Team was excited to welcome new preschool students and families into our classrooms. In our first two weeks of school, we focus on building our classroom community, learning names, exploring with materials, and learning the classroom and school-wide routines. It is an exciting time for educators and students." Check out these photos of our preschool students' first day of school.

SRTS Advocacy Leads to Action

Coming together to invest in our community, Mahtomedi Community Education worked with numerous public and private entities to create a Safe-Routes-to-School (SRTS) plan. Their work resulted in Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFBS) and sidewalks added near O. H. Anderson Elementary School.

“These newly installed sidewalks separate moving vehicles from pedestrians, bikers and rollers while the RRFBs alert drivers to people who are crossing the street,” shared Community Education Director Kate Andersen and Principal Susie Prather in their published letter to the White Bear Press. See the RRFBs in action, set to the tune Safety Dance in this fun video!

Meet Our New Staff

We are excited to welcome new staff members to Mahtomedi Community Education! Two new Middle School Coordinators were hired: Sammy Wallace for enrichment programs and Stephanie Groff for athletics. Click here to watch a fun introduction video.

Sammy is a Class of 2016 Zephyr alum who worked for Mahtomedi Adventure Club. Stephanie has over 20 years of experience in community education - including the past two years with Mahtomedi. Fun Facts: Stephanie has a Morkie (part Maltese, part Yorkshire Terrier) named Reagan, and Sammy has a lab named Viking.

More recently, Adam McFarlane joined as the Communications and Engagement Coordinator. Kylie Nyman arrives next Monday as the administrative assistant to Mahtomedi Community Education. We hope you’ll give a warm welcome to our new staff when you see them!

Around Community Education

Developing a Love For Gymnastics

In our beginning gymnastics program, young gymnasts have an excellent teacher and inspiration, Zephyr gymnastics assistant coach and Mahtomedi alum Ashley Walsh. These classes explore the basic skills of tumbling, balance beam, and uneven bars. Click to see photos from a recent class. If your child loves gymnastics, join us for our newly-added Junior Zephyr Gymnastics Clinic hosted by Mahtomedi High School’s gymnastics team - the event is an annual fundraiser for the team. Students in kindergarten through fifth grade can sign up for one or both Saturdays: October 26 and November 16. Undefeated in the regular season for the past ten years, the Zephyr gymnastics team is one of Minnesota’s top high school programs. During the event, students will participate in fun stations and games! The clinic is open to all skill levels, including newcomers. Register here for the Junior Zephyrs Gymnastics Clinic.

Comedy Community Event

The Zephyr Show Stoppers Club connects Mahtomedi students to live theater. They recently attended Back to the Future - the Musical at the Orpheum in Minneapolis. They’ve enjoyed shows at the Chanhassen Dinner Theatres, the Guthrie Theater, the Ordway, and other local theaters.

On October 24, Show Stoppers will bring ComedySportz Improv to the high school for a public event. This year, the ComedySportz performance is the only Show Stoppers event open to the public. Tickets are $24 each. Registration is open at Mahtomedi Eleyo. Register here for the Show Stoppers’ ComedySportz event.